Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-11-19
AcnnAf ~ q r VA SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 49, 1887.

balance WAS always on the wron!
side. lie whispered, For her sake
and struggled OH AMI denied he
nothing.
And even on the day when HI
came home, knowing that all hi!
efforts had availe1 nothing, anf
that he WAS poor man. his ONLY
thought was for her, that he woul(
never more he able TO give her the
things she bartered so much for.
He went info the great old Ii
brary, which was almost the only
room in the honse which remained
unchanged, and tried TO collect his
thoughts. How conld he tell heI
was the question that reiterated 1T
self through his brain, and for the
first time in his life Donald Nc
Keen was a coward.
The thought came to him of how
she who had chafed ut her bonds
when they were gilded could bear
the closer relations that straight.
sened. income wonld entail.
And he resolved that this, at
least. he w,nlfl spare her. After
all his obligations were met there
would be something left, not more
than she had often lavished on one
dinner, perhaps; but still enough to
keep har from absolute want. Jes
sic should have this and he should
60 away and work for her and
dream of her. but never again
trouble her with his presence.
He sat down and wrote her a
letter, telling her this simply. di-
rectly. and with the great love he
ls.sr'. her breathing through every
gs0rd.
The servant told him she would
not be in for some time and lie
took the note, himself up to her
room.
1t was a daih place, bright as
unlimited wealth and an exquisite
taste could make it.
He left the note on her toilet ia
bic, lingering moment to touch
caressinly costly articles thatwere
scattered about, all breathing of
her presence.
When he returned to the parlor
tile early dusk WAS falling. A ser
vanE came bringing lights, but he
dismissed him impatiently, and a
few moments later heard the sound
of heels and the sweet voice Of
bis wife III the hall giving some di
rectiOn.
at length the silence became un
bearable, and he seated himself at
the piano. In his bachelor days
music had been his passion, but in
these later years Of ieverish strug
gle he had found no time for it.
But when his fingers touched the
keys all the despair, the pain and
longing in his heart found voice III
the rich chords that filed the
room.
He played on and gradually the
burden lifted. Music gave him the
comfort she always gives to those
who truly love her. 1t was no long
era wall Of despair, but paean of
thanksgiving for victory gained.
So absorbed was he that he did
not hear a soft footstep enter the
room. A hand was laid Oh his
shoulder, and a tremulous voice
said:
sDonaldw
His hand came down with a sui
den discord on the keys! 1t wills
the first time Jessie hid called him
by that name.
He turned and saw her standing
there in her soft cashmere. The
freight was sending long rays
down the stately gloom OF tile Ii
brary, and she looked very beau
tiful against tho rosy background.
You read my letter, JesSieg"
eyes; and l am sorry for your
sake, Donald; you have worked SO
hard for me-"
do not think hard of me, Jes
sic. 1t is not for myself | care. ]
am not afraid Of poverty. But, oh,
my child, If l could save you from
it's sting. II it were at the Sacri-
flee of my life, heaven is my wit
ness, would not spare it.''
Size came close to him and laid
her hand in his.
s.DonaId, there is a better thing
you can give me than wealth can
buy. Give me back the love so
madly threw away. Let me work
with and help you, and l will bless
the day that made us poorl"
"Jessie," he said, care YOU sure
of thls7 Do not try TO deceive me.
DO not say it If it is not true. l
could 60 away anu Oeaf IL, ouG 10
open my heart to this new hope
would kill me.'
"Donald, do you think that
L am made of stone-that l
could know all your kindness and
patience all these years, and not
learn to love you? Oh, so often
have 1 longed to kneel at your
feet and ask forgiveness, but l be-
lleve had forfeited your love by
my folly"
"And you will not regret the loss
of wealth and luxury7" lie said, ip-
credulously 'sand can be happy with
only my love-"
"You forget that papa and l
l..